/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/bluejays/2022/04/09/five-on-the-farm-the-blue-jays-prospects-you-need-to-keep-an-eye-on/orelvis.jpg "Five on the farm: The Blue Jays prospects you need to keep an eye on")
The Blue Jays’ farm system is no longer among baseball’s best after the front office dipped into its prospect base to strengthen the major-league club, but there are still many up-and-comers to watch in 2022.
Toronto’s system, ranked seventh in baseball by MLB.com a year ago, is No. 21 now after dealing a number of top-30 prospects, including pitchers Simeon Woods Richardson, Gunnar Hoglund and Zach Logue and infielders Austin Martin and Kevin Smith, for the likes of opening-day starter José Berríos and third baseman Matt Chapman.
The top five prospects are pretty much the same, though:
Gabriel Moreno, C
Level: Triple-A Buffalo. ETA: 2022
MLB Pipeline 100: No. 7 overall
The 22-year-old Venezuelan has drawn comparisons from some within the organization to former San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, able to impact the game on both sides of the ball. The Jays hope he continues as one of the best all-around players in the minors after injuries derailed his 2021 season.
Orelvis Martinez, SS/3B
Level: Double-A New Hampshire. ETA: 2023
MLB Pipeline 100: No. 38
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/bluejays/2022/04/09/five-on-the-farm-the-blue-jays-prospects-you-need-to-keep-an-eye-on/orelvis.jpg)
Martinez, 20, led all teenage minor-leaguers in 2021 when he hit 28 home runs between Low-A and High-A. There is hope the six-foot-one, 188-pound Dominican Republic native will discover even more power as his body matures.
Jordan Groshans, SS/3B
Level: Triple-A Buffalo. ETA: 2023
MLB Pipeline 100: No. 80
Groshans, 22, will miss the first couple weeks of the year with an oblique strain. He hasn’t shown much power in three minor-league seasons, but Groshans’ strikeout and walk rates indicate good plate discipline. The question is whether he can compete for a spot as Toronto’s third baseman of the future.
Otto Lopez, 2B/SS/OF
Level: Triple-A Buffalo. ETA: 2022
MLB Pipeline 100: Not ranked
The 23-year-old from the Dominican Republic starts the year on the injured list with minor oblique discomfort. He had a career year in 2021, posting a .315/.379/.427 slash line with an .816 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A.
Leo Jimenez, SS/2B
Level: High-A Vancouver. ETA: 2024
MLB Pipeline 100: Not ranked
Jimenez, 20, has earned in-season promotions in each of his last two seasons. He stood out in 2021 with a .523 on-base percentage.
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